News from around the 32 counties of Ireland

There has been a 70% surge in the incidents of possession of hard drugs in Galway City this year – and criminal Limerick gangs could be responsible. Members of the Galway City Joint Policing Committee last week expressed alarm in particular in relation to the amount of heroin being seized in the city in the first eight months of this year. In his report to the meeting, Galway Garda Division Chief Superintendent, Dónal Ó Cualáin, outlined that since January there have been 34 incidents of possession of drugs for sale or supply. This represents an increase of 70% on the same period last year.
(Source: GalwayBay Fm)

Kildare

A young man was lucky to escape with only minor injuries to his face after two men threw rocks at his car in Naas last weekend. The motorist was driving on the Caragh Road near Naas Leisure Centre when rocks were thrown at the car, smashing through the windscreen and side window. The incident occurred on Sunday 26 September at around 8pm.
(Source: The Kildare Nationalist)

Kilkenny

Gardaí in Kilkenny investigating the false imprisonment of a bank official and his family and the attempted robbery of a financial institution in Kilkenny on the 3rd of November 2009 have arrested a male aged in his 30s and a female aged in her 20s. They were both arrested last Thursday in the Dublin area. The male is detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007, and the female under section 30 of the Offences against the State Act 1939, at Kilkenny Garda Station.
(Source: Kilkenny People)

Laois

Laois VEC are to install windows in the Old Technical School building, at a cost of €52,000, even though they will not be able to use the building for at least two years. But the decision, which appears to have been taken in part to improve the appearance of the building, was challenged at last week's monthly meeting of the VEC. Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald wanted to know why public money was being spent on a building that could not be used. "I hope every other VEC building in use has as good windows," said Cllr Fitzgerald.
(Source: Leinster Express)

Leitrim

Nine houses at Corryard, Drumshanbo were sold at less than half their original asking price last weekend. The detached 4 bedroom homes were sold by the bank for between €140,000 - €148,000 after the local developer went into receivership two months ago. The original price for the large houses was €320,000. Kelly Hamilton pictured with her daughter Naoise who were the first to buy one of of the houses at Corryard, Drumshanbo at an amazing reduction of over €200,000 on the original price. Kelly queued from 4:45 am last Friday morning but it paid off as it was first come first served.
(Source: Leitrim Observer)

Limerick

City manager Tom Mackey is to examine the possibility of introducing by-laws banning the clamping of vehicles anywhere within the city limits.Although Limerick City Council does not clamp vehicles illegally parked on public streets, the operators of a number of privately-owned car parks in the city do – charging motorists up to €120 to have their vehicle de-clamped. The issue of clamping has come to a head in recent months following the decision of the Market Trustees to engage the services of a clamping firm to enforce parking regulations at the Potato Market.

(Source: Limerick Leader)

Longford

An 11-year-old girl is in a stable condition in hospital after a gang of men set fire to a house in Longford town. It's understood up to four men targeted the house in Padraic Colum Heights during the early hours of last Friday morning, smashing windows and throwing a number of petrol bombs into the kitchen and dining area.
(Source: Longford Leader)

Louth

The students and staff of St Mary's National School in Knockbridge were left dumbstruck last Thursday when up to 200 bags of clothing that the children had collected to be recycled was stolen from the school grounds in broad daylight. The theft of the clothing is estimated to have cost the school around n800 with principal Brian McDonnell admitting that he was still finding the incident hard to fathom.
(Source: Dundalk Democrat)

Mayo

Three Mayo men were honored at the National Bravery Awards Ceremony at Leinster House last Wednesday. The Comhairle na Mire Gaile - Deeds of Bravery - State awards ceremony saw Ballina man David McGowan receive a silver medal award, while Castlebar native, Garda John O’Reilly was honored with a special certificate along with the late Enda Hughes also receiving a posthumous award.
(Source: The Mayo News)

Meath

Meath woman Ashling Smith has been shortlisted for the 2010 New Designer Fashion Grand Prix and will be heading for the finals in Tokyo in mid-October. One of only 30 finalists selected from over 11,000 entries, this marks a huge breakthrough onto the international fashion scene for Ashling, who is currently working and teaching in the UK. Originally from Seymourstown
(Source: The Meath Chronicle)